In the latest soccer news: Soccer Addict News presents to you the first edition of A Look in the Numbers: Michael Bradley. Since his inclusion of the USMNT roster in 2007 against Ecuador, Michael Bradley has received sharp criticism for his nepotistic inclusion for USMNT, propensity for fouls, and suspect and telegraphic passing. Bradley Jr. recently started a tremendous scoring streak with two goals in the last US qualifier against Mexico and leading to four goals with his Bundesliga club, Borussia Monchengladbach .
After scoring twice against Mexico, the holding midfielder netted four goals in the last five games with Borussia Monchengladbach moving closer to safety and farther from relegation. After researching his goals for his career and also during his European stint, the recent numbers indicate that Bradley has improved considerably over the past two years. Let's take a look at the numbers and see where Bradley ranks.
With his Metrostars season 2004-05 and first two seasons with Heerenveen 2005-07, Michael Bradley did not exude a nose for goal scoring once in 53 club appearance and 14 international matches totaling 67 appearances. Since the 2007 Gold Cup to the present in Borussia Monchengladbach, his stats impress even the biggest critics. During this period, he scored 29 goals in 68 appearances which included all competitions: club, USMNT, U-20, and Olympics. His remarkable 2007-08 Heerenveen season demonstrated break-out performances scoring 18 goals in 32 appearances.
Declaring Bradley a goal scoring threat would be unreasonable, but his nose for goal proved that his game has improved and appears poised to make a name for himself in Germany. Although his goals do not draw comparisons to the greats such as Messi, Ronaldo, and Ronaldinho, his production since the summer of 2007 has been remarkable and is no coincidence. His long range shooting, reduced fouls, and passsing has improved over the past two years.
Although Bradley has drawn comparisons to Michael Ballack, his game needs considerable development and refinement to reach that high level. His size, work rate, and nack for goal gives many hope that he could be a special player. As his development continues, Bradley projects as an integral component for the USA and a potential high-level European midfielder.
His stats compare well with other USMNT stars. Since the 2007 Gold Cup, Clint Dempsey, a comparable european midfielder, appeared in 88 games with 18 goals. It is understandable that many of his appearances were as a sub role for Fulham, and he plays in one of the top professional leagues in the world yielding a .204 goals per game average. Therefore, one must consider this additional factor in the evaluation process. Although Bradley's goal per game average .426 doubles Dempsey's average, one can state that his recent form is not an aberration. Bradley's 27 appearances (5) goals and Dempsey's 29 (6) 2007-present international stats appear almost identical: a goal rate per game of .185 and .207, respectively. Landon Donovan leads all USMNT members with 18 (7) a .39 goal rate per game for players ranging in these quanitity of appearances.
With Altidore and Adu struggling in their first European seasons, Bradley provides a lesson that one can overcome the difficulties of European soccer with hard work and perseverance. Bradley has endured a tough road and will encounter more setbacks as he continues to transfer to better teams with more skilled and competitive players. His recent performance does deserve recognition.
If you are a Bradley hater or critic, please refrain from this soccer video which contains recent goals. It could be upsetting.
Are you surprised by the stats? Are you a Bradley hater or supporter? Is he still receiving playing time due to nepotism? Will Bradley achieve a Ballack-esque level? SAN wants to know. Share your thoughts.
Included are blogs that discuss Latest Soccer News: A Look in the Numbers - Michael Bradley and this soccer video.
Add A Comment